WALDERSEY INTERNAL DRAINAGE BOARD At a Meeting of the Waldersey Internal Drainage Board hosted at the Middle Level Offices, March on Wednesday the 17th June 2020 PRESENT P E Lankfer Esq (Vice Chairman) M J Mottram Esq J T Clarke Esq W Sutton Esq S J Flint Esq P M Tegerdine Esq N J Harrison Esq B Wales Esq Miss Samantha Ablett (representing the Clerk to the Board) and Mr Morgan Lakey (representing the Consulting Engineers) were in attendance. The Chairman enquired whether ALL Board members were happy for the meeting to be recorded. All Members were in agreement. Apologies for absence Apologies for absence were received from J E Arnold Esq, B R Darlow Esq and N Scantlebury Esq. B.1145 Standing Orders Miss Ablett reported that to allow the Board to modify the manner in which they hold meetings (for a temporary period) whilst special arrangements are in place to deal with COVID-19, Defra have agreed to the adoption of modified standing orders. Members considered the adapted set of the new model orders, as supplied by ADA, which include two extra clauses at the end of them which include a change to the way in which meetings are held to allow remote attendance. RESOLVED That the Board approve in principle. B.1146 Declarations of Interest Miss Ablett reminded Members of the importance of declaring an interest in any matter included in today’s agenda that involved or was likely to affect any individual on the Board. The Vice Chairman declared an interest in minute nos. B.1156 and B.1164. The District Officer declared a financial interest in minute no. B.1168. Mr Tegerdine declared an interest in any matter in which Waldersey Farms were involved. Councillor Sutton declared interests in all planning matters as a member of Fenland District Council and (as a member of the Middle Level Board) in matters concerning the Middle Level Commissioners. F:\Admin\BrendaM\Word\Waldersey\mins\17.6.20 B.1147 Confirmation of Minutes RESOLVED That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Board held on the 19th June 2019 are recorded correctly and that they be confirmed and signed. B.1148 Death of Mr Joe Lankfer Miss Ablett referred to the death of the Chairman, Joe Lankfer, on Sunday the 9th May 2020. She reminded Members that Mr Lankfer had been a Member of the Board since June 1968 and had been Vice Chairman from 1973 to 1975 and -Chairman since December 1975. Members observed a a minute’s silence in respect for Mr Lankfer. RESOLVED That the Board’s appreciation of the services rendered by Mr Lankfer be recorded in the minutes. B.1149 Appointment of Chairman RESOLVED That P E Lankfer Esq be appointed Chairman of the Board. B.1150 Appointment of Vice Chairman RESOLVED That M J Mottram Esq be appointed Vice Chairman of the Board. B.1151 Bank mandate and National Savings & Investments RESOLVED i) That, in addition to Mr P E Lankfer, Mr M J Mottram be authorised to sign cheques and authorise payments on behalf of the Board. ii) That Mr D Thomas, as Clerk to the Board, and Mr P E Lankfer, as Chairman, be the authorised signatories of the National Savings Investment Account and that the account of the Waldersey Internal Drainage Board with National Savings and Investments be changed accordingly. F:\Admin\BrendaM\Word\Waldersey\mins\17.6.20 B.1152 Election of Board Members Miss Ablett reported that the term of Office of the elected Members of the Board would expire on the 31st October 2020 and submitted the proposed Register of Electors applicable to the 2020 election. RESOLVED That the Register be approved. B.1153 Vacancy in Membership Consideration was given to the filling of the vacancy in the membership of the Board caused by the death of Mr Lankfer. RESOLVED That Mr Henry Lankfer be invited to become a member of the Board, if willing to do so. B.1154 Board Membership Miss Ablett reported that Mr Dan Matthews had resigned from the Board as he was no longer employed by Farmcare Ltd and Mr Nick Scantlebury had been appointed as his replacement. RESOLVED That Mr Nick Scantlebury be co-opted to membership of the Board. B. 1155 Land Drainage Act 1991 Board Membership – Fenland District Council Further to minute B.1112, Miss Ablett reported that Fenland District Council had also appointed Councillor B Rackley to be a Member of the Board under the provisions of the Land Drainage Act 1991. B.1156 Flail mowing in the District Further to minute B.1113, the Chairman reported on the flail mowing that had been carried out in the District during the past year and advised that although most of the work had gone reasonably well, due to the wet weather encountered not all of the programme had been completed. He confirmed that arrangements had been put in place for the forthcoming year. RESOLVED That Messrs Lankfer carry out the Board’s flail mowing operations for the ensuing year. (NB) - The Chairman declared an interest when this item was discussed. F:\Admin\BrendaM\Word\Waldersey\mins\17.6.20 B.1157 National Grid Gas – Pipeline at Long Drove, Waldersey Further to minute B.1114, Miss Ablett reported that the Assistant Clerk had confirmed that although the agreement with Cadent Gas had been drawn up it not yet been finalised due to the valuation of compensation due to the Board still being outstanding. She also reported that the Assistant Clerk had contacted Brown & Co, a land agent in Kings Lynn, regarding the land valuation but due to COVID 19 situation had not yet received a response. Miss Ablett advised that as soon as a valuation for compensation had been agreed with Cadent Gas the agreement would be finalised. RESOLVED That the Assistant Clerk obtain a valuation for compensation and finalise the agreement with Cadent Gas. B.1158 A47 Guyhirn Junction Improvements Further to minute B.1115, Miss Ablett advised that the latest position regarding this item had been included in the Consulting Engineer’s report for Members information and confirmed that all relevant parties including the Chairman and Vice Chairman had been involved in the discussions and were aware of the situation. B.1159 Concrete Bridge – Point 51 – Handrail Further to minute B.1116, Miss Ablett reported that the handrail on the footbridge at Point 51 had been replaced by Waldersey Farms. B.1160 Footbridges – Waldersey Farms Further to minute B.1117, Miss Ablett reported that a letter had been sent to Waldersey Farms who had advised last year that the bridge would be removed. Mr Tegerdine advised that it had not yet been done and Mr Harrison confirmed that he had been asked to remove the bridge and it would be done very shortly. RESOLVED That Harrison Agricultural Ltd remove the bridge as soon as possible. B.1161 Joint Pumping Station Maintenance Contribution from Hundred of Wisbech IDB and Potential Amalgamation with Hundred of Wisbech IDB Further to minute B.1144, Miss Ablett reminded Members that at the last meeting they had asked for the joint pumping costs to be reviewed. A review had been carried out and the Treasurer had calculated costs based on area, being the basis of contributions at present, and on pumping capacity. Miss Ablett advised that the review highlighted there would be a 10% increase in contributions due from Hundred of Wisbech IDB if the joint pumping costs were calculated based on pumping capacity. F:\Admin\BrendaM\Word\Waldersey\mins\17.6.20 Miss Ablett reported that the internal auditors had advised that it would be beneficial if the arrangement between the two Boards could be formalised by way of a legal agreement. The Chairman stated that as there was no formal legal agreement in place he considered this should be addressed and discussed in conjunction with the potential amalgamation. He added it was not only the pumping costs that needed to be reviewed but also the contingency plans for flooding and the amount of pollution the Board had been receiving in the last few years. He advised that at a meeting at the Middle Level offices it had become apparent that Hundred of Wisbech IDB’s contingency plan for flooding was the Waldersey IDB and that Waldersey’s plan was Rings End pumping station, the costs of which Hundred of Wisbech IDB were not making any contribution towards. The Vice Chairman stated that although he was not aware of the contents of the historic agreement between the two Boards he considered it important that both Boards arrange a meeting to review the position and agree on a way forward. Councillor Sutton suggested that this item, together with the potential amalgamation, be discussed and confirmed that he was an advocate for amalgamation and considered Hundred of Wisbech and Waldersey IDBs had a lot of areas in common as well as being in close proximity to each other. He added that an amalgamation would solve a lot of the issues arising and would also address areas of concern for members on both Boards. He considered a meeting of the Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of both Boards and Middle Level Commissioners’ staff should be arranged so that all matters could be discussed and resolved amicably. He confirmed this was something he would support. Miss Ablett advised that due to the number of Board meetings required and the process followed by the Environment Agency and Defra it could take up to 3 years, depending on when COVID-19 restrictions were lifted, before an amalgamation would be finalised.